In Google, Gems are transitioning to skills. This change enables you to combine multiple skills at once and invoke custom skills directly within an existing Gemini chat, without having to switch to an isolated Gem chat.
As part of this transition, Gems are being removed from Google Workspace Studio:
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Now: You can no longer add "Ask a Gem" steps to newly created or existing flows. However, existing flows with "Ask a Gem" steps remain fully functional and editable until deprecation.
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Starting March 2027: Flows with an "Ask a Gem" step will stop working. To keep your flows running, replace the "Ask a Gem" step with an "Ask Gemini" step before this date.
On this page:
- [Start here if you have skills access] Rebuild your Gem as a Workspace Studio skill.
- [Start here if you don’t have skills access] Update flows that have an "Ask a Gem" step.
- Tip: Skills in Workspace are gradually rolling out over the next month so you can also choose to wait before updating your "Ask a Gem" step.
- Share a skill
Rebuild your Gem as a Workspace Studio skill
Important: Skills in Workspace Studio are rolling out gradually, starting October 5, 2026. If you don't have access to skills, or if you don't need customized skills, skip to update your flows that have an "Ask a Gem" step to keep your flows working with standard "Ask Gemini" steps.
- Go to Google Workspace Studio.
- On the left, click Skills.
- Click Create
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- Copy your Gem instructions.
- Paste them into the chat window of the skill builder or directly into the skill instructions. For best results, you can:
- Add context: Upload reference files or link to Google Drive folders that contain the best standard for the task.
- Define output: Teach the skill how to respond. For example, “Provide a bulleted list of risks and a final Go/No-Go recommendation.”
- Review the generated skill instructions. You can make any adjustments needed.
- Optional: You can test your skill before you enable it. In the skill builder chat box on the left, provide additional details and ask the skill builder tool to test your skill.
- Click Turn on
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.Tips:
- You can now @mention your skill in the Gemini in Workspace side panel and add it to an “Ask Gemini” step in a Workspace Studio flow. Learn how skills work in Google Workspace Studio.
- If your flow used a view-only Gem that was shared with you, reach out to the owner so they can share the skill with you instead.
- If your Gem has already been converted to a Gemini app skill in the Gemini app:
- Go to Gemini.google.com.
- Click Settings
Skills.
- Copy the instructions.
- Paste it into the Workspace Studio skill.
Skills.Update flows that have an “Ask a Gem” step
- Go to Google Workspace Studio.
- Click Flows
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- For flows that have an “Ask a Gem” step:
- Click on the flow.
- Make a copy of your prompt.
- Click +Add Step.
- Select Ask Gemini.
- Move the “Ask Gemini” step above your “Ask a Gem” step.
- Click Manage step
- Click Manage step
- Configure the “Ask Gemini” step:
- Enter a prompt: Replace the pre-populated prompt with the prompt you copied from the “Ask a Gem” step.
- If you have access to skills, select the Workspace Studio skill or skills that Gemini should reference for customized expertise.
- Once you’re confident that your “Ask Gemini” step is correctly configured, next to the “Ask a Gem” step, click Manage step
- Update any subsequent steps after “Ask Gemini” that used the “Ask Gem” variable and replace it with the new “Ask Gemini” variable.
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Share a skill
If you previously shared a Gem with someone and want them to have access to your updated skill, you can share a link for them to create a copy. A copy includes the:
- Latest setup
- Referenced files
- Text and email addresses
- Copies of referenced flows
Anyone with the link can find your email address as the skill creator.
To share a skill:
- Go to Google Workspace Studio.
- On the left, click Skills.
- Under “My skills,” click the skill you want to share.
- At the top left, click Share
- Click Copy link
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- You can only share skills that are turned on.
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